--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When men are rightly occupied, their…" description: "\"When men are rightly occupied, their amusement grows out of their work, as the colour-petals out of a fruitful flower; when they are faithfully helpful..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/john-ruskin-314_amusement_when-men-are-rightly-occupied-their-amus_3028394.jpg" --- # When men are rightly occupied, their amusement grows out… ![“When men are rightly occupied, their amusement grows out of their work, as the colour-petals out of a fruitful flower; when they are faithfully helpful and compassionate, all their emotions become steady, deep, perpetual, and vivifying to the soul as the natural pulse to the body. But now, having…” quote by John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/john-ruskin-314_amusement_when-men-are-rightly-occupied-their-amus_3028394.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/john-ruskin-314_amusement_when-men-are-rightly-occupied-their-amus_3028394.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/john-ruskin-314_amusement_when-men-are-rightly-occupied-their-amus_3028394.jpg) > “When men are rightly occupied, their amusement grows out of their work, as the colour-petals out of a fruitful flower; when they are faithfully helpful and compassionate, all their emotions become steady, deep, perpetual, and vivifying to the soul as the natural pulse to the body. But now, having no true business, we pour our whole masculine energy into the false business of money-making; and having no true emotion, we must have false emotions dressed up for us to play with, not innocently, as children with dolls, but guiltily and darkly.” [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage contrasts genuine, purposeful work that naturally brings joy with the hollow pursuit of money, which forces false emotions and emptiness. **In simple terms:** True work brings joy; money‑driven work feels empty. Key Takeaway Seek meaningful work over mere profit. Themes work meaning authenticity materialism Mood reflective philosophical Type ethical spiritual When to use this quote - career choice - volunteering - creative projects - financial planning Key Concepts purpose emotional health spiritual fulfillment Questions to Reflect On - How can you align profit with purpose? - What does authentic happiness look like for you? A Different Perspective Economic pressures often force compromises. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Amusement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amusement/) [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Colour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/colour/) [Compassionate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassionate/) [Compassionate Emotions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassionate-emotions-4935781/) [Dolls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dolls/) [Dressed up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dressed-up/) [Emotion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotion/) [Emotion False](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotion-false-2891084/) [Energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/energy/) [False Emotions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/false-emotions-2117497/) [Flower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flower/) [Grows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grows/) [Helpful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helpful/) [Making money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/making-money/) [Masculine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/masculine/) [Masculine Energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/masculine-energy-1251076/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Natural](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural/) [Perpetual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perpetual/) [Petals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/petals/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Pulse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pulse/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Steady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/steady/) [True emotions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-emotions/) [Whole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whole/) ## Related quotes > [Jesus, music has always been my first love. I use music in my work because it's the fastest way to an emotional place. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-depp/jesus-music-has-always-been-my-first-love-i-use-music-in-my-work/) [Johnny Depp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-depp/) > [“False emotions broadcast thru the Land”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-ginsberg/false-emotions-broadcast-thru-the-land/) [Allen Ginsberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-ginsberg/) > [It's important to have masculine energy around your child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-morton/it-s-important-to-have-masculine-energy-around-your-child/) [Samantha Morton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-morton/) > [The masculine energy was about survival. The male was the hunter who risked his life and had to be in the fight-flight mode.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/the-masculine-energy-was-about-survival-the-male-was-the-hunter-who/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [“Enjoy Your Friends’ Criticism A man’s capacity to receive another man’s direct criticism is a measure of his capacity to receive masculine energy. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-deida/enjoy-your-friends-criticism-a-man-s-capacity-to-receive-another-man/) [David Deida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-deida/) > [When I first went to Milan, my agent said you have to give off a strong, masculine energy. They don't like campiness. They like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andreja-pejic/when-i-first-went-to-milan-my-agent-said-you-have-to-give-off-a/) [Andreja Pejic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andreja-pejic/) > [Trump... has the 'strong father' masculine energy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-cernovich/trump-has-the-strong-father-masculine-energy/) [Mike Cernovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-cernovich/) > [I feel a terrifically painful disturbance in the natural law of things between men and women that must be balanced in the next few…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-de-mornay/i-feel-a-terrifically-painful-disturbance-in-the-natural-law-of/) [Rebecca De Mornay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-de-mornay/) > [“I think it is the masculine energy or man’s subtle, not overt, energetic influence that’s responsible for building a solid sensual feminine identity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lebo-grand/i-think-it-is-the-masculine-energy-or-man-s-subtle-not-overt/) [Lebo Grand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lebo-grand/) > [There's a balance of feminine and masculine energy. Unfortunately, it's an imbalanced world because of the people that are in charge, and that's egotistical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mya/there-s-a-balance-of-feminine-and-masculine-energy-unfortunately-it-s/) [Mya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mya/) > [A lot of fitness has that very masculine energy and drive, and that never worked for me. I want to be challenged. I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-helen-bowers/a-lot-of-fitness-has-that-very-masculine-energy-and-drive-and-that/) [Mary Helen Bowers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-helen-bowers/) > [I carry a lot of feminine energy as well as masculine energy, and that's the hit that people are getting. That vulnerable thing is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-fishburne/i-carry-a-lot-of-feminine-energy-as-well-as-masculine-energy-and-that/) [Laurence Fishburne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-fishburne/) > [“Her gaze slid up the thick muscles of his arm, imagining her hand doing the same, imagining what it would feel like to explore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-cutler/her-gaze-slid-up-the-thick-muscles-of-his-arm-imagining-her-hand/) [Melissa Cutler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-cutler/) > [The more women succeed and rise up into positions of power, the more remote they become from actual masculine energy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/the-more-women-succeed-and-rise-up-into-positions-of-power-the-more/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [I really try to balance my feminine and masculine energy when I write.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kali-uchis/i-really-try-to-balance-my-feminine-and-masculine-energy-when-i-write/) [Kali Uchis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kali-uchis/) ## More by John Ruskin > [“Occult Theft,--Theft which hides itself even from itself, and is legal, respectable, and cowardly,--corrupts the body and soul of man, to the last fibre…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/occult-theft-theft-which-hides-itself-even-from-itself-and-is-legal/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [Mighty of heart, mighty of mind, magnanimous-to be this is indeed to be great in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/mighty-of-heart-mighty-of-mind-magnanimous-to-be-this-is-indeed-to-be/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [Life is a magic vase filled to the brim, so made that you cannot dip from it nor draw from it; but it overflows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/life-is-a-magic-vase-filled-to-the-brim-so-made-that-you-cannot-dip/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [As in the instances of alchemy, astrology, witchcraft, and other such popular creeds, political economy, has a plausible idea at the root of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/as-in-the-instances-of-alchemy-astrology-witchcraft-and-other-such/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [I am far more provoked at being thought foolish by foolish people, than pleased at being thought sensible by sensible people; and the average…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/i-am-far-more-provoked-at-being-thought-foolish-by-foolish-people/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [When we build ... let it not be for present delights nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/when-we-build-let-it-not-be-for-present-delights-nor-for-present-use/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [It is far more difficult to be simple than to be complicated; far more difficult to sacrifice skill and easy execution in the proper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/it-is-far-more-difficult-to-be-simple-than-to-be-complicated-far-more/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [It is a good and safe rule to sojourn in every place as if you meant to spend your life there, never omitting an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/it-is-a-good-and-safe-rule-to-sojourn-in-every-place-as-if-you-meant/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [“You may trust to the truth of my sympathy; but you must remember that I am engaged in the investigation of enormous religious and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/you-may-trust-to-the-truth-of-my-sympathy-but-you-must-remember-that/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [And remember, child, that nothing is ever done beautifully, which is done in rivalship; or nobly, which is done in pride.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/and-remember-child-that-nothing-is-ever-done-beautifully-which-is/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s worse to pay too little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/it-s-unwise-to-pay-too-much-but-it-s-worse-to-pay-too-little/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [The world is full of vulgar Purists, who bring discredit on all selection by the silliness of their choice; and this the more, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/the-world-is-full-of-vulgar-purists-who-bring-discredit-on-all/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [Like other beautiful things in this world, its end (that of a shaft) is to be beautiful; and, in proportion to its beauty, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/like-other-beautiful-things-in-this-world-its-end-that-of-a-shaft-is/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [All are to be men of genius in their degree,--rivulets or rivers, it does not matter, so that the souls be clear and pure;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/all-are-to-be-men-of-genius-in-their-degree-rivulets-or-rivers-it/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [The art of drawing which is of more real importance to the human race than that of writing...should be taught to every child just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/the-art-of-drawing-which-is-of-more-real-importance-to-the-human-race/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) [Explore all 696 John Ruskin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) ## More Amusement quotes > [Cultivate the habit of thinking ahead, and of anticipating the necessary and immediate consequences of all your actions… Likewise in your pleasures, ask yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/cultivate-the-habit-of-thinking-ahead-and-of-anticipating-the/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Ancient eyes had stared at me, filled with ancient grief. And something more. Something so alien and unexpected that I'd almost burst into tears.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/ancient-eyes-had-stared-at-me-filled-with-ancient-grief-and-something/) [Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/) > [Every producer in Hollywood had set me down as a type. I was both amused and disappointed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bela-lugosi/every-producer-in-hollywood-had-set-me-down-as-a-type-i-was-both/) [Bela Lugosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bela-lugosi/) > [By amusing myself with all these games, all this nonsense, all these picture puzzles, I became famous... I am only a public entertainer who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/by-amusing-myself-with-all-these-games-all-this-nonsense-all-these/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) > [I just started writing for my own amusement and occasionally singing in little clubs around Los Angeles. Then I wrote 'The Rose,' and through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-mcbroom/i-just-started-writing-for-my-own-amusement-and-occasionally-singing/) [Amanda McBroom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-mcbroom/) > [Happiness does not consist in pastimes and amusements but in virtuous activities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/happiness-does-not-consist-in-pastimes-and-amusements-but-in-virtuous/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city you go into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-mass-of-men-lead-lives-of-quiet-desperation-what-is-called/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Ordinary people simply don't know what books mean to us, shut up here. Reading, learning, and the radio are our amusements.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-frank/ordinary-people-simply-don-t-know-what-books-mean-to-us-shut-up-here/) [Anne Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-frank/) > [My first job was at an amusement park in Virginia. It was the worst. I loved the park but once I'd worked there all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-mcbride/my-first-job-was-at-an-amusement-park-in-virginia-it-was-the-worst-i/) [Danny McBride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-mcbride/) > [The Stoics say, "Retire within yourselves; it is there you will find your rest." And that is not true. Others say, "Go out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/the-stoics-say-retire-within-yourselves-it-is-there-you-will-find/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [I realized, "Gee, you're making the same film over and over here." I just kept making them for my own amusement, but also with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-jarmusch/i-realized-gee-you-re-making-the-same-film-over-and-over-here-i-just/) [Jim Jarmusch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-jarmusch/) > [I like these boots," I told Vayl. "Do you think they'd sell them to me cheap? I keep ruining mine." "Since when do you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-rardin/i-like-these-boots-i-told-vayl-do-you-think-they-d-sell-them-to-me/) [Jennifer Rardin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-rardin/) > [It has to be now,” he insisted, a flick of amusement in his voice. He nudged his burgeoning loins against her. “After all, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/it-has-to-be-now-he-insisted-a-flick-of-amusement-in-his-voice-he/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [Act as if the universe is a prodigious miracle created for your amusement and illumination. Assume that secret helpers are working behind the scenes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-brezsny/act-as-if-the-universe-is-a-prodigious-miracle-created-for-your/) [Rob Brezsny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-brezsny/) > [Amusement that is excessive and followed only for its own sake, allures and deceives us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/amusement-that-is-excessive-and-followed-only-for-its-own-sake/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) [Browse all 567 Amusement quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amusement/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When men are rightly occupied, their amusement grows out of their work, as the colour-petals out of a fruitful flower; when they are faithfully helpful and compassionate, all their emotions become steady, deep, perpetual, and vivifying to the soul as the natural pulse to the body. But now, having no true business, we pour our whole masculine energy into the false business of money-making; and having no true emotion, we must have false emotions dressed up for us to play with, not innocently, as children with dolls, but guiltily and darkly.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Ruskin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/when-men-are-rightly-occupied-their-amusement-grows-out-of-their-work-2/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Amusement" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/when-men-are-rightly-occupied-their-amusement-grows-out-of-their-work-2/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/john-ruskin-314_amusement_when-men-are-rightly-occupied-their-amus_3028394.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/john-ruskin-314_amusement_when-men-are-rightly-occupied-their-amus_3028394.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/john-ruskin-314_amusement_when-men-are-rightly-occupied-their-amus_3028394.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When men are rightly occupied, their amusement grows out of their work, as the colour-petals out of a…” — John Ruskin", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Ruskin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When men are rightly occupied, their...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/when-men-are-rightly-occupied-their-amusement-grows-out-of-their-work-2/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/when-men-are-rightly-occupied-their-amusement-grows-out-of-their-work-2/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```